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Biomedical subjects

V Kalra

Publications and source records attributed to V Kalra.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Dengue haemorrhagic fever in children in Delhi.

An epidemic of dengue haemorrhagic fever occurred in Delhi during 1988. A total of 21 paediatric patients with dengue haemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome were evaluated from September to November 1988. All the patients had fever, restlessness, ecchymotic spots and ascites. Pleural effusion occurred in 19 patients (90%), and 18 (86%) exhibited each of the following: vomiting, thrombocytopenia, and haemoconcentration. Hepatomegaly was observed in 15 patients (71%) and splenomegaly in three (14%). Titres of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies against dengue virus type 2 were raised in all the 15 cases from whom sera were collected during the acute stage. Convalescent sera from five patients had increased titres of HI antibodies to dengue virus type 2. The remaining 10 cases exhibited raised IgM antibody levels against dengue virus type 2. The fatality rate for serologically proven cases was 13% (2 of 15 patients), while for all patients (including those diagnosed clinically (6) and serologically (15)) it was 33.3% (7 of 21). Patients who survived had no sequelae, except one who had transient hypertension that lasted for two weeks.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Effects of a fixed magnetic appliance on the dentofacial complex.

The purpose of the study was to design and evaluate the effects of a fixed magnetic appliance that hinged the mandible open and exerted an intrusive force on the teeth. Ten patients between the ages of 8 years and 10 years 6 months, with Class II, Division 1 malocclusion associated with mandibular retrusion and increased lower facial height, were treated with this appliance. The length of treatment was 4 months, after which the appliance was removed and the patients were followed up for 4 months. Ten children with similar age, sex, and dentofacial characteristics acted as controls and did not receive any appliance therapy. Changes in morphology of the dentofacial complex were evaluated by use of lateral cephalograms and study models. In addition temporomandibular joint and muscle functions were assessed. During treatment mandibular length increased 3.2 mm, angle of facial convexity decreased 2.8 degrees, the upper and lower teeth intruded an average of 1.5 mm each, and the mandibular plane angle decreased 1.3 degrees. In the follow-up period, some rebound eruption was noted; however, all other changes were stable.

Cephalometry↗

Intracranial tuberculoma. Evaluation and treatment.

We used computerized tomography (CT) to screen 83 patients with partial seizures who had 1) increased intracranial pressure; 2) evidence of systemic tuberculosis; or 3) focal neurological deficit. We found intracranial tuberculoma in 20 (24%). In addition, of 55 patients with tuberculous meningitis, 12 had associated tuberculoma. The image morphology on CT scans showed ring lesions (14), discs (10), and irregular coalescing masses (8). Perilesional edema frequently was present. After appropriate antitubercular therapy, clinical outcome for seizures, neurological deficit, and increased intracranial pressure was satisfactory. CT lesions regressed within 12 weeks of inauguration of medical therapy in most patients. Medical management of tuberculoma is advocated, with surgery limited to those in whom such treatment is ineffective.

Brain Diseases↗

Luteolytic action of two antiprogestational agents (RU-38486 and ZK-98734) in the rat.

RU-38486 or ZK-98734 treatment (3 mg/day, s.c.) to intact or hysterectomized adult female rats on Days 5-7 post coitum induced changes characteristic of luteolysis. Ultrastructurally, the luteal cells exhibited an extensive vacuolization of the cytoplasm and perinuclear areas, degeneration of mitochondrial cristae, massive accumulation of lipid droplets, increase in number of lysosome like granules and heterochromatinization of the nucleus. In general, RU-38486 induced more marked degeneration of the luteal cells than did ZK-98734. There was also a significant decrease in peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations in treated rats. We suggest that these antiprogestagens act via inhibition of luteal function in addition to their antagonism at the uterine progesterone receptor level.

Animals↗

Urinary 5-HIAA and VMA and their relationship with immunoregulatory cells in stress administered subjects.

The investigation was apt at studying the relationship between urinary metabolites of serotonin and catecholamine (5-HIAA and VMA), T-cells (OKT3+), T-helper (OKT4+), T-suppressor (OKT8+) and B-cells (EAC-rosette forming cells) in normal (10 subjects, 1 female, 9 male, age 21 +/- 5 years) and stress administered subjects (20 subjects, 3 female, 17 male, age 20 +/- 4 years). The levels of urinary 5-HIAA and VMA and numbers of OKT3+, OKT4+, OKT8+ and B-cells increased significantly in subjects administered with bicycle ergometry stress as compared to normal controls. The numbers of B-cells rose higher than that of OKT3+ cells (p less than 0.01). OKT8+ cells (T-suppressor) were more than OKT4+ cells (T-helper, p less than 0.01). The ratio T/B and OKT4+/OKT8+ decreased (p less than 0.01 0.01) after stress. An increase in B-cells, OKT8+ cells, 5-HIAA and VMA after stress suggests immunoregulatory effects of serotonin and catecholamine.

Adult↗

Neurocysticercosis in childhood.

Manifestations of cysticercosis in 11 children (mean age 9.5 years) are presented. Features of raised intracranial pressure dominated the clinical picture (10 cases), followed by seizures (7 cases). Subretinal cysts occurred in three children. Focal signs were infrequent and often not attributable to anatomical lesions. Electro-encephalograms were invariably abnormal, but did not help to localize lesions. Plain roentgenograms of the skull showed sutural diastasis in the majority. Computerized tomography revealed white matter oedema with throttled ventricles in 6 patients and single localized lesions in 3 others. None had hydrocephalus. Histopathology and indirect haemagglutination test aided diagnosis in 6 cases. Two children recovered completely, one after surgical excision of a parietal lobe cyst and the other following praziquantel therapy. Half of the remaining patients improved spontaneously.

Adolescent↗

Sigma opioid receptor: characterization and co-identity with the phencyclidine receptor.

The properties of the sigma opioid receptor of rat brain cortex have been characterized using the prototypic ligand (+)-[3H] SKF 10,047. Binding to this receptor was rapid, and equilibrium was obtained within 30 min at 37 degrees C. Specific binding was linear with protein concentration up to 500 micrograms/2 ml and was dependent upon protein integrity. Denaturation by boiling destroyed over 95% of the specific binding. A high-affinity binding site with a KD of 150 +/- 40 nM and a maximum binding of 2.91 +/- 0.84 pmol/mg of protein was determined from a Scatchard plot of the binding data. The addition of salt, either NaCl or CaCl2, to the buffers markedly decreased binding, with CaCl2 being more potent than NaCl. A broad pH optimum for specific binding was observed; maximum binding was at pH 9.0. The affinity of a number of ligands for the sigma site and the phencyclidine receptor were compared. The binding (IC50) of 13 ligands to the sigma site showed a correlation of 0.86 (P less than .01) with binding to the phencyclidine site. The data demonstrate that the biochemical properties of the sigma and phencyclidine receptors are similar and support the view that these receptors are one and the same site.

Animals↗